ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – More than 950 students participated in this summer's PraiseWorks and JoyWorks camps, July 13-17, and Arkansas Baptist leaders continue to hear reports of lives changed through salvation, renewed commitments to Christ, and calls to ministry. 

As planning began nearly a year ago for the 2026 camps, Arkansas Baptists Music & Worship Strategist Jim Daniel said leaders prayed specifically for three things: safety for everyone involved, souls to be saved, and students to respond to God's call to ministry. 

"The Lord graciously answered each of those prayers," he said. "We are still receiving reports from track leaders and church leaders of lives that were transformed through salvation, rededication and commitments to ministry." 

Mark Maier, executive pastor of worship at First Baptist Church in Rogers, served as camp pastor for PraiseWorks, while Arkansas Baptists Next Gen + Discipleship Strategist Bill Newton served as camp pastor for JoyWorks. Both challenged students through biblical teaching, presented the gospel and encouraged students to respond. 

Daniel shared one student's story as an example of how God worked through the prayers and efforts of churches, volunteers, and camp leaders. 

The student wanted to attend PraiseWorks, but his church was not bringing a group. His pastor contacted Arkansas Baptists staff to see whether he could be connected with another church. After prayerfully seeking the right connection, staff members helped place the student with a church family that welcomed him for the week. 

Daniel met the student during registration and said the student was uncertain about what to expect. His mother also had concerns about sending him without members of his own church but wanted him to have the opportunity to attend. 

The student joined a guitar track where the instructor taught musical skills while consistently incorporating the gospel into each lesson.  

When Daniel asked the student Tuesday how his week was going, he received a simple response: "It's good." 

By Wednesday, the student's excitement had grown. 

"I'm learning a lot, and the group I'm connected with is awesome," he said. 

The following evening, before the Tracks on Display presentation, Daniel asked again about his experience. 

"It was awesome," the student responded. "I just prayed with our camp pastor and gave my heart to Jesus." 

Daniel said the student's decision reflected the work of many people who invested in him throughout the week, including his pastor, his church, convention staff, the host church, track leaders, and the camp pastor. 

"Above all of those faithful acts was the sovereign grace of God, who lovingly orchestrated every detail to draw him to Himself," Daniel said. 

Another testimony came from a bass guitar track that had more students registered than expected. Organizers opened an additional room to accommodate the group, and a track leader who had originally planned to spend the week with his own church group agreed to step in and teach the additional class. 

One student in the class had shared that she was an atheist, but she continued attending the track and hearing the gospel throughout the week. Before an evening worship service, the student saw the bass instructor in the hallway and shared that she still had questions about what she had been hearing. 

The instructor explained that the circumstances surrounding their conversation reflected God's work. He had not originally planned to teach a track that week; she had not originally planned to be in his class, and he had not planned to be in that hallway at that specific time. Yet God brought them together for a conversation about faith. 

The instructor then shared the gospel and explained God's desire to draw people into a relationship with Him. Daniel said the conversation led to the student praying and giving her life to Christ. 

"We have heard story after story of the amazing works of the Lord, answering prayers of His people as He has changed lives through salvation, drawn others into a deeper walk with Him through discipleship, and called others into ministry as they are being equipped by Arkansas Baptists," Daniel said. 

Daniel said the camps provide a picture of Arkansas Baptists working together through churches, volunteers and leaders to impact the next generation. 

"It is a team effort, and we have a beautiful picture of Arkansas Baptists cooperating together to be a part of that team," Daniel said. 

Reports continue to come in from churches across the state, including testimonies shared during home church gatherings following the camps, reflecting the continued impact of PraiseWorks and JoyWorks. 

Next year, the camp will celebrate its 75th anniversary, marking nearly eight decades of ministry through worship, music education, and gospel-centered instruction. Daniel said the continued stories of transformed lives are a testimony to God's faithfulness and the faithful partnership of Arkansas Baptists.